Well Armed wires the field to capture the G2 San Diego Handicap
Well armed was out to prove two myths wrong in Saturday’s Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar. For starters, he was there to prove to doubters that he would not be affected by the famed “Dubai bounce” that has plagued other runners in their return efforts from Nad Al Sheba race track.
Secondly, he was out to prove that it is possible for a superior horse to wire the field over the synthetic track at Del Mar – something that many handicappers have been grumbling is very difficult even though the track has been playing significantly faster this season as opposed to last.
Well Armed was of course last seen finishing 3rd behind none other than (drumroll please) Curlin in the Dubai World Cup. On Saturday at Del Mar he broke alertly and was quickly sent to the lead – a lead he would never relinquish.
The son of Tiznow made it look easy taking a field that included the likes of Surf Cat and Rebellion. The final time for the San Diego was 1:41.57 – a very fast final time. In fact, although I haven’t been able to locate a proper source – I believe that’s a track record (of course, “track records” are seemingly set every day so far at Del Mar , so take that for what it’s worth).
Post race interviews on TVG had trainer Eoin Harty indicating that perhaps the $1 million Pacific Classic would be next for Well Armed, who boosted his record to 3 wins in his last 5 U.S. starts.
Surf Cat came on late for 2nd place, while longshot Mostercoli Mort ran on for third. Hopefully some of you played the tri I gave out on this one earlier Saturday as a $1 play returned over $50.
Thinking outside the box. Well Arm’s victory at Del Mar, may have the Curlin connections consider the Pacific Classic as a distinct possiblity and or alternative to France. Times this season are very quick at DM. I was at opening day and everything was a couple seconds faster. Well Arm’s time, 1:41.2 was very fast for Poly yesterday. A possibility is Curlin preping for a repeat at the Breeders cup, using the Pacific Classic as the entry into immortality. This surface, will suit his style, based on how well he ran on grass.
BMC
I heard he broke the track record by just a shade over three seconds!! Impressive race, I love the fact that Curlin beat him in Dubai, just gives his resume some more “shine”!
[...] prove two myths wrong in Saturday??s Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar.? For starters, he was thhttp://theaspiringhorseplayer.com/2008/07/20/well-armed-wires-the-field-in-san-diego-handicap/World Records and Best PerformancesUnited Kingdom track and field All-Time Lists – world records and [...]
Yup – shocking track record – and I thought the same thing in terms of flattering Curlin.
Of course, “track record” at Del Mar likely means fastest time so far this week – as on a whole the track is playing roughly 2 seconds faster than last year.